Martin Murray doubts Sergio Martinez will fight him again

MARTIN MURRAY doesn’t feel he’ll get another shot at Sergio Martinez despite giving the Argentinian southpaw the fight of his life on Saturday night.

The St Helens man dropped the world’s number one middleweight and seemed to dominate the second half of the contest in front of 40,000 vociferous fans in Buenos Aires, but failed to get the decision.

Murray would like an immediate rematch, but accepts that is unlikely despite Martinez himself managing to secure a return with Paul Williams after losing a similarly contentious verdict back in late 2009.

“I’d love the chance to fight Martinez again, but there’s no way I’ll get the opportunity,” Murray, 30, said.

“Martinez is amongst the top five pound-for-pound fighters in the world and I had him down twice, bossed him and lost a very close debatable decision in his own backyard so I think I’ve proven I belong at world level.

“I’m obviously gutted that I’m not taking that belt home with me but I’m happy and proud that I can leave Argentina with my head held high knowing that I represented St. Helens and Great Britain.

“If it was fair scoring then I would have got the decision but it was always going to be an uphill battle in Argentina and I knew that when I accepted the fight.”

He added: “I just want to say a massive thank you to my family, friends and team. I’m so lucky to have these people around me, especially Oliver Harrison who’s just an amazing trainer, and I know that one day I’ll get them that world title that they all deserve.

“Also, a big thank you to Sergio Martinez, his team and the people of Argentina. From day one we were all treated so well and really looked after.”